WM Councilman gets green light to run blues show

WM Councilman gets green light to run blues show

McClendon bringing Bobby Rush to Civic Auditorium

news@theeveningtimes.com

West Memphis Ward 4 Councilman Marco Mc-Clendon was approved by city council to bring a concert to the city’s civic auditorium. The action followed a thumbs up from the Advertising and Promotions Commission a day earlier.

Mayor Bill Johnson introduced the measure to City Council. Because it had come up only a day earlier it took a unanimous vote of city council to place it on the agenda for consideration.

The ordinance was added, the rules suspended to read it out three times authoriz- ing Marco McClendon Vision to do business with the city. City Council put it through so plans could move forward for the upcoming show.

“This give permission to Alderman Marco McClendon to perform some business with the city,” said Johnson.

“I appreciate the fact that you want to be an entrepreneur to make some money, but I am not sure what the precedent is,” said first term Councilman Wayne Croom. “I’m new. Sometimes it can be perceived differently by the public.”

“This just let’s Marco work out the deal with the A& P,” said Johnson. “That is the end of council’s responsibility. The rest of it will be through the A& P.”

City Attorney David Peeples indicated it was not unprecedented and Mc-Clendon said it happens all the time.

“There is a prohibition of city council members doing business with the city,” said City Peeples, “unless it has been brought to the attention of council and passes an ordinance to authorize it. City Council had sent precedent waving the prohibition with an ordinance.

City employees have families with businesses that have contracted work for the city. Councilor James Pulliaum has been a process server for the city.

A day earlier Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Jim Jackson told A& P Commissioners a really nice show was needed to kick start the civic activities at the auditorium.

“We’d like to start off with a nice show here in the auditorium. I think Blues and Rhythm and Blues will sell here in West Memphis,” said Jackson.

The A& P moved to underwrite the show. The concert costs were set at $16,100 included advertising in the region, staging, musician fees and McClendon’s expense.

“Marco has come up with this and I think it will sell this place out,” said Jackson.

Jackson called the plans for the upcoming show a “stellar idea.” Ticket price was expected for $35. “He is a Grammy award winner this year,” said Jackson.

“He is one of my favorites and well known across all walks of life. Its a full three hour slate for a Saturday night.”

The three hour concert is set for March 25 at the civic auditorium, with Grammy award-winning R& B artist Bobby Rush headlining and four local music acts opening the show.

By John Rech